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RNC and DNC Conventions to Create $360M in Direct Spending for Host Cities

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by Loren G. Edelstein |
July 20, 2016

Attendees of the two major party conventions will be responsible for spending an estimated $360 million in their host cities this year, according to a projection from the U.S. Travel Association. That spending total splits straight down the middle for the two events - $180 million each for the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, July 18-21, and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, July 25-28. Including indirect and induced impact, a total of $600 million in economic output - $300 million for each convention - is expected to be generated for both regions. The sum could support 1,800 jobs in each place, or 3,600 jobs in total.

"You're going to hear a lot from the candidates about their plans to create jobs," said U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow. "It might give some people pause, but one of the easiest ways to do that is to hold more conventions. The economic activity associated with these kinds of events is extremely compelling, and we aim to make sure our policymakers understand that."

U.S. Travel's impact prediction encompasses expected spending by attendees on items such as lodging, meals, transportation and general retail, as well as spending by each host committee, funding for security, and so forth. U.S. Travel economists generated the convention impact figures using hotel data provided by the travel research firm STR, as well as other travel and economic statistics. The organization's goal is to highlight the substantial and positive economic and jobs impact of large, in-person meetings, such as the political conventions.

U.S. Travel is amplifying its message that travel is "serious business" with an advertising campaign targeted at convention attendees. The organization has placed ads extolling the economic value of the political conventions at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and in Amtrak Acela trains along the Northeast Corridor.